What makes a food super you ask? The answer is simple. When incredible nutritional value meets deliciousness and simplicity, you have a superfood. Super foods are just too good for you not to have them in your diet. The health benefits are significant. And the foods can easily be incorporated into daily recipes and regimens. Read on to learn how these 7 foods can benefit you in ways you never imagined. Let’s get super!
1. Kale
Yes, kale. Doesn’t sound too appetizing does it? What if I told you that kale can help combat asthma, cardiovascular diseases, cancers and even arthritis? As one of the most nutrient rich foods on the planet, it make no sense to avoid it. Kale boasts the ideal combo of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and flavonoids that your body craves. Still not convinced? Kale has even shown the ability to preserve the elasticity of skin, which helps hold off premature aging. Try tossing kale into your salad or cooking it up as a side dish at dinner.
2. Blueberries

This sweet and tart fruit has been popular for centuries for its delicious taste and versatility. Yet there are so many more reasons to love blueberries. In addition to being a proven cholesterol reducer, this superfood can help fight cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Blueberries are easy to mix into your breakfast with hot or cold cereals, yogurts, oatmeal, and more!

3. Chocolate
Did I just tell you that chocolate is a superfood? Yes, yes I did. I’m not saying you should begin funneling Hershey’s Kisses into your body. However, dark chocolates are actually very beneficial for your body. The key here is to indulge in non-dairy dark chocolates with at least 70% cocoa. A small, bite-sized piece is ideal because it won’t cause you to exceed your daily fat intake while offering your body a delicious and nutritious treat. Dark chocolates provide your body with essential antioxidants and flavonols that keep blood pressure down and promote heart health.

4. Avocados
Avocados have gotten a bad rap for being high in fats. The problem there is the false belief that all fats are bad. In fact, avocados have healthy mono-saturated fats that benefit you in two ways. These fats will satisfy hunger quickly and help to control portions while also benefiting your cholesterol. Avocados contain essential B and K vitamins and also of cancer-reducing phytosterols and carotenoids. Sneak avocado into your diet by using it in spreads or dips!

5. Sweet Potatoes
All carbs aren’t the enemy. I suggest you make sweet potatoes one of your new best friends. Why? Sweet potatoes are one of the best foods on the planet at raising vitamin A levels in your blood. Not to mention that one sweet potato contains half of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C. Also, they contain proteins that work to fight off cell damage and increase healing in the body. Perhaps this superfood’s greatest benefit is its ability to replace French fries. Cut up sweet potatoes and toss them into the oven. Sprinkle them with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and salt, and you have an amazingly nutritious and delicious side dish or snack that you can eat with pride!

Nutritionists have had enough. They’re up in arms over the misinformation people are being fed and the healthy choices people are failing to make! These health experts are looking out for us and our wellbeing. It’s certainly in our best interest to take their advice and it’s high-time we start doing so! I’ve compiled a list of 8 things nutritionists want us to stop doing in order to achieve better health and longevity.
1. STOP CUTTING CALORIES – Jennifer Pullman, MA, RDN, LDN
Jennifer Pullman has a problem with many of her clients cutting out calories. The idea that taking in less calories will cause weight loss is true to a point. However, Jennifer states that you will hit a level where your calorie intake is just too low. Your body will adjust to the new reduced amount of calories and actually slip into starvation mode! Make healthier choices on the foods themselves, not the numbers they carry.
2. STOP DETOXING – Monica Reinagel, MD, LDN, CNS
Reinagel has a bone to pick with those claiming they are “detoxing”. She claims the idea that foods and beverages working to clean out the toxins from your body does not have legs to stand on. Instead, she suggests limiting the amount of toxins you put in your body in the first place!
3. STOP STARVING AND THEN BINGEING – Abby Langer, RD
In Abby Langer’s opinion, too many people are skipping breakfast and eating light lunches, only to make up for it by bingeing at night. One of the worst things you can do to your body is starve it during the day and then binge at night. She recommends eating multiple protein-heavy meals and snacks throughout the day to combat the snacking urges and general hunger at night.
4. STOP THE “CLEAN EATING” DIETS – Julie Upton, MS, RD, CSSD and Elizabeth M. Ward, RD
Both Upton and Ward agree that people need to stop using the term “clean” eating and just refer to it as healthy eating. Clean is becoming a buzzword among marketers and they are using it to fool consumers. Clean isn’t a defined term at all in the food world and it can mean anything. Also, they feel as if people who say they eat “clean” may look down on others who they perceive to not be eating clean. In addition, this labeling can make people feel that they may be eating “dirty” if it’s not clean. We need to stop labeling our diets and just make conscious efforts to eat healthier!
5. STOP ASSUMING ALL SMOOTHIES ARE HEALTHY – Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD
Marisa Moore has noticed what she refers to as a “health halo” surrounding smoothies. She feels people assume that by having a smoothie, they’re making a healthy choice. However, many smoothies and fruit juices are loaded with sugar and empty calories. We need to make sure we are reading nutritional value labels and are aware of the ingredients. Only then can you be sure you are actually having a healthy drink.
6. STOP EATING PROCESSED DIET FOOD – Alexis Jospeh, MS RD, LD
Alexis Joseph swears against processed foods, but not just any processed foods. She specifically advises avoiding foods that marketers tout as “fat-free”. These products are actually loaded with chemicals and other unnatural ingredients. Although they are marketed as diet foods, these processed options are absolutely terrible for you. Avoid them at all costs. As Joseph proclaims, “Eat real food!”
7. STOP AVOIDING FRUIT – Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD, LDN
Dawn Blatner does not want to hear that you aren’t eating fruit because of the high sugar content. Not only is this sugar natural, but fruit brings a plethora of other nutritional values along for the ride. Fruit boasts antioxidants, vitamins, fiber and more. There are few ways to get more natural nutrition than from fruit! Blatner suggests two cups or pieces of fruit daily.
8. STOP SKIPPING PROTEIN AT BREAKFAST – Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD
Moore is sick of people that are not only skipping breakfast, but when they do have a morning meal, they avoid protein. Having meat, eggs, yogurt, and nuts can all provide you with protein. It will keep you full for longer and will help you avoid trips to the office vending machine or local coffee shop for snacks.
Take this advice from nutritionists to heart. Avoiding certain foods, being smarter in the grocery store and having the right mind-set are all tools to use in your quest to be a healthier and more fit you.
By Pat DeRiso
Sources: huffingtonpost.com, HuffPost Blog